Vaughn wrote:

I don't think that those "electronic ignitions" for lawnmower engines are
anything more than a hefty zener diode.

Now, why would a Zenner diode create the KV necessary for a spark?

I run a communications shop and we have drawers full of parts, some of
which would likely do the job just fine.

Do you use Zenner diodes for RF generation too?

Ted